People are often confused about the concept of “salvation.” From what is one “saved?” How is one “saved?” For what purpose is one “saved?” Various cultural influences cause some people to think that salvation is for some particular ethnicity or economic status. Salvation, however, is made available for all humans (Mark 16:15, 16), regardless of race, skin color, social status or gender. With respect to salvation, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, and note: “salvation” is “in Christ Jesus…” 2 Timothy 2:10).
Though it is a topic that is uncomfortable for people to discuss and consider, sin is the reason for salvation. One is saved from the consequences of sin. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and dooms our souls – “the wages of sin is [eternal] death” (Romans 3:23). Sin is the transgression [violation] of God’s law (1 John 3:4). The Bible contains God’s law, thus it is the Bible that defines sin. The Bible teaches us the things that God wants us to do and what He wants us not to do (positive and negative commands). In order for humans to “be saved,” they must have their sins remitted. According to Scripture, the forgiveness of sin is made possible by two things: God’s grace and man’s faith (Ephesians 2:8). The Scriptures name two chief provisions of grace: the gift of God’s instructions (Titus 2:11) and the gift of His Son (sacrifice, Titus 2:14). “Faith” is what man has (and does) in response to God’s grace. Prior to making the statement in Galatians 3:28, Paul had explained that people came to be “in Christ” through faith and baptism (Galatians 3:26, 27). Interestingly, these same provisions are given by Jesus in the salvation passage of Mark 16:16.
Tim Haile